Nurses and Midwives Week: Lyn White

May 10, 2019

Even though Access Support Officer, Lyn White, has just turned 70, she still speaks about her nursing work and long career with much passion and enthusiasm.

“I started in 1966 at Fairfield Hospital as a Division 2 Nurse, and I have been nursing ever since,” she begins.

Lyn has worked in all areas of nursing for more than 50 years.

“I saw a nursing ad in the papers one day and I thought it sounded interesting. At the time, I was too young to apply, so I had to wait until I was 17,” she says.

“I’ve been at Northern Health for 12 years now. I love it here – I love the people I work for and the people I work with.”

Lyn remembers starting at Northern and knowing everyone, as the hospital was much smaller back then. She’s seen many changes and witnessed the hospital grow and develop, but one thing that has remained the same is the community spirit.

“Everybody is friendly and approachable here. I lost my husband three years ago and I feel like the people here saved me during a difficult time,” she adds.

Lyn started at the transit lounge, when it was just a small four-bed room. She then moved into ambulance transport and now with the restructure, works in access as well as in the transit lounge.

“I now do subacute referrals, ambulance bills, and work in transit and I really enjoy my role,” she says.

Throughout her career, Lyn spent four and a half years on the Nurses Board Victoria and found this role interesting and rewarding.

“As a Division 2 Nurse, there is really nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. You can work in Emergency and Intensive Care and see where your career takes you,” she adds.

When Lyn reflects back on the old days of nursing, she says team nursing was the way things used to be done.

“When I started, we worked on busy wards and I knew every patient. We all worked as a team, together. Now, nurses have dedicated patients, whereas before I just looked after everybody,” she explains.

Outside of work, Lyn is a Bulldogs fan and loves to go to the footy.